A Change of Heart // Sebastian Sallow

Chapter 33

Florence hadn't yet figured out what to do with the ancient magic she had recently learned she can't destroy. She hadn't spoken to Sebastian about the suggestion of an Unbreakable Vow since he mentioned it, hoping he would forget. She let him keep it around his neck for the moment until she devised a plan.

She regretted staying out too late with Anne last night as she was planning on returning to work at the Ministry today, leaving Sebastian alone in her apartment for the entire day. He woke up before her, making her toast and a tea while she got herself ready for work.

"Here you go." He said, placing a boiling tea and some toast with fresh butter and jam on it next to her, giving her a hug and a kiss from behind. "Look at you, my little professional."

He eyed her up and down, admiring her 'business attire'. He was used to seeing her in her tight pants ready for combat, but her tights, skirt, blouse and vest combo were new to him.

"Well, with any luck you can help me take them off tonight." She winked, taking a bite of her toast as she placed pins in her long hair to pull the front of it off her face.

"I'll hold you to that!" he shouted, walking back to the kitchen.

She grabbed her bag, throwing it over her shoulder and gave Sebastian a kiss before leaving. She hadn't told Poppy of her return, instead she caught up with her in the lobby of the Ministry.

"Florence! Are you back?" Poppy yelled from across the lobby, running over to hug her.

"I am. Hopefully for good now." Florence smiled.

"Well, I hope you'll actually take some time off for a good reason this year." Poppy commented, referring to her recent time off being anything but relaxing. "And at lunch, I expect a complete run down of everything."

Florence promised her she would tell her everything and headed back to her desk. Her work was stacked almost as tall as she was, realising no one had helped during her absence. She sighed deeply before cracking on and filing as many cases as she could.

"Hello, Florence." She heard a familiar voice call from in front of her.

"Ominis! How are you?" Florence said possibly too loud, excited to see him back at work.

"I am doing fantastic. How are you?" Ominis said.

"I'm great. Thank you for asking." She replied.

"Where's Sebastian?" Ominis asked.

"He's at my apartment right now. I still don't know what to do with him yet." Florence said with a small laugh.

Ominis chuckled. "Bring him down tomorrow, we might have something for him here."

Florence agreed, but felt a twinge of anxiety run through her. Getting him a job in London meant they were serious. He didn't have a place of his own and she had only thought of him staying with her as a temporary solution, she didn't plan of having him there permanently. He couldn't go back to Feldcroft permanently and refused to go back to Marunweem... but getting his own place seemed silly when they were enjoying each others company so much. But, if he could get a job then she figured they could work out the logistics later.

"Anyway, must be back to work. It was good to see you, Florence." Ominis said, excusing himself and returning to his department.

Her morning at work went by too quickly, Florence feeling like the hours were going too fast for how much work she had to do.

"Hey, lunch time." Poppy called from above her desk, Florence losing track of the time.

Florence and Poppy walked together to sit outside in the air and eat their lunch together. She'd missed Poppy. She hadn't seen her since Natty's death.

"So, how's Sebastian?" Poppy asked.

Florence felt like that's all anyone asked her about these days.

"He's good. He's at my place at the moment, not sure what to do with him to be honest." Florence laughed.

"Put him to work, he should be making you a hot meal and rubbing your feet when you get home being a stay at home boyfriend." Poppy joked. "But, other than that, is he making you happy?"

"He is, Poppy. He really is. This time is different. I just know it." Florence smiled.

"Good. Just let him know if he hurts you again, I'll kick his ass. I supported you once through a Sebastian Sallow induced heart ache, I won't do it again." She laughed again.

"Why does everyone keep saying that?" Florence laughed.

"Because we all love you more than him." Poppy winked at her.

Florence relished in their time together, the lunch break flying by too fast as they returned to work. Poppy promised Florence she'd walk her home, like they used to do.

To Florence's shock, she managed to fly through the rest of her cases, leaving an empty desk right at clock-off time.

"Well done." Poppy said as she approached her, admiring the clear desk while waiting for her to pick up her belongings.

They left the Ministry together, walking the streets of London as they had done for years. Poppy bid Florence goodnight at her building, agreeing to walk together tomorrow.

"Honey, I'm home!" Florence laughed as she opened the door, greeted by Sebastian who was sitting on her lounge. She looked around, noting he'd cleaned the apartment top to bottom for her and her nostrils were hit with the smell of something baking. "Did you do all this?" she asked him, admiring her sparkling apartment.

"I just thought I'd help you out, I hope that's okay." Sebastian said, standing up and walking over to Florence, giving her a kiss on the forehead.

"It's more than okay, but you didn't have to do that." Florence said.

"I wanted to. I'm not going to sit here and do nothing all day." He laughed.

"Speaking of, I spoke to Ominis today. He said you should come down to the Ministry tomorrow, he may have something lined up for you." Florence said, removing her boots and moving to the lounge to sit down.

"Like, a job? Here? In London?" he asked, puzzled.

"Yeah. If you want to stay in London, that is. There's no pressure on you." Florence said, though she hoped he didn't want to leave.

"Of course I want to stay in London. But, I don't have anywhere to go." He said.

Florence's head and heart battled with each other. Her head wanted to tell him to go find his own apartment, but her heart was screaming at her to let the walking sex god stay with her.

"You could stay here until we figure something out." She blurted out.

"I wouldn't be imposing on your lifestyle?" he asked.

"Think of it as a trial for later. We'll just take it as it comes. Who knows, Ominis may be pulling your leg anyway." Florence joked.

They ate the fresh bread Sebastian had baked for them while Florence was at work and bathed together, preparing themselves for tomorrow.